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1600 BC| c. 1600 BC | Greece [colonization] | Greek-speaking invaders in the Aegean have penetrated the Peloponnese, where they begin to prosper and grow rich. They evolve the Mycenaean culture, named after its chief stronghold. Mycenae is ruled by a dynasty of kings, whose ‘shaft graves’ contain great wealth and fine art and weaponry, indicating that the Mycenaean princes are rapidly accumulating wealth. | | c. 1600 BC | Egypt [everyday life] | The cat is domesticated in Egypt. (Although it has been proclaimed sacred since c. 2500 BC it is unlikely to have been domesticated at this time.) | | c. 1600 BC | Egypt [medicine] | The Edwin Smith papyrus is written. The first medical book, it contains clinical descriptions of the examination, diagnosis, and treatment of injuries, and reveals an accurate understanding of the workings of the heart, stomach, bowels, and larger blood vessels. The papyrus is named after US scientist Edwin Smith, a pioneer in the study of Egyptian science who acquired it in Luxor, Egypt, in 1862. | | c. 1600 BC | Crete [palaces] | The four great Minoan palaces of Crete are built or rebuilt in this century with an architectural and artistic skill and sophistication that causes surprise when they are later discovered. The palaces are at Knossos, Phaestus (with its ‘summer residence’ at nearby Hagia Triada), Mallia, and Zakro. Frescos are now commonplace, and are used on the walls of Knossos palace. The new Minoan palaces use ‘light wells’ to give illumination without heat from the Sun, tied to an aqueduct system, and sanitation facilities flushed with water. | | c. 1600 BC | Crete [religion] | The snake goddess and other artefacts found at Knossos and elsewhere in Crete probably indicate that the Minoan people worship a mother earth goddess at this time. The bull-leap fresco at Knossos and similar works demonstrate a great Minoan preoccupation with the bull. | | c. 1600 BC | Crete [trade] | Crete's favourable position on trade routes across the eastern Mediterranean extends Minoan influence throughout the Aegean. The new palaces develop into political, economic, administrative, and religious centres, also containing storehouses and craftsmen's workshops, and the Minoan rulers go down in Greek legend as great lawmakers. |
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